Farmer Focus: Rain too late to avoid halving flock
James and Belinda Kimber © Kathy Horniblow It’s amazing how much can happen in a month.
Before my last article had been published, I had to make a tough decision regarding the feed situation.
See also: How grassland winner is learning new skills for herbal leys
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We hadn’t had the rain that had saved some farms west of us, so half the breeding sheep have been sold.
We were probably a week late in terms of market returns. There seemed to be ewes everywhere in the cull rings, resulting in a £20 reduction on the week sold.
However, with no grass whatsoever, we had to feed or sell. We have enough winter food to start feeding the ewes in January – not July.
Some of you may have seen my video of a 1m electric fencing post going fully down a crack in our pasture. This will take a lot of repair.
In 2022, following the dry summer, we picked up loads of winter grazing locally.
That seems to have all gone, with winter bird food, or butterflies and bees offering more favourable payment rates under the Sustainable Farming Incentive than a few quid from sheep grazing.
The pedigree Texels have also gone as a few ewes tested positive for maedi visna following contact with the ram. Although a bit sad, I had been unhappy with their performance for ages.
What now? Well, it has rained. The maize came in at 18t dry matter/ha, just below last year. So we have a great pile of winter food awaiting analysis.
The reseed timing was excellent as we had the seed all rolled four hours before significant rain. Our contractor went beyond service continuing until 3.30am to get finished.
Turnip seed has just germinated after six weeks in the ground; we should get some good leaf cover but probably too late for significant bulb development.
The herbal leys should provide excellent clean grazing for the young ewes next year.
They amount to 30% of our area, though having chosen the wrong year to rip up so much, the SFI payments of £20k will be swallowed up in losses from the destocking.
The system we have has evolved to suit our land, buildings and environment. If we are to face regular, dry summers, then a feed buffer for summer months would be sensible.
The herbal leys already in have provided a bit of grazing, even in cracked ground, so that seems the best choice.